Detian Waterfall, located on the China-Vietnam border, is known as Detian Waterfall on the Chinese side and Ban Gioc Waterfall on the Vietnamese side. This is my third visit to Detian Waterfall, and the experience keeps getting worse 😔. If it were up to me, I wouldn't come back; however, whenever I bring friends or family to the China-Vietnam border in Guangxi, it remains a must-see spot 📸. To help you have a better experience, let's focus on how to avoid the pitfalls 🕳️.

Navigation Tips

Deep Pit: If you navigate to "Detian Waterfall," you'll be directed to the Visitor Center and parking lot, which is 9.5 km (approximately 6 miles) away from the main entrance. Parking here requires taking a shuttle bus to the main gate. Visitor Center ticket prices: entrance ticket 80CNY (approximately $11 USD) + shuttle bus ticket 35CNY (approximately $5 USD), online ticket 110CNY (approximately $15 USD), and parking fee 20CNY (approximately $3 USD) per visit.

Avoiding the Pitfall: You can actually drive directly to the main entrance of the Detian Waterfall. The main gate is on National Highway 219, a necessary route for border driving along 219 towards Yunnan. Navigate to "Detian Tun," located at Chongzuo City, Daxin County, Shuolong Town, Detian Village, Detian Tun. This village at the entrance is filled with guesthouses, restaurants, and parking lots. Parking is managed by villagers without a standard fee, usually 20-30CNY (approximately $3-4 USD) per visit. Ignore road signs about strict controls and border checkpoints, if questioned, mention you are driving along Highway 219 from Dongxing, Guangxi to Yunnan. This way, you only need the 80CNY (approximately $11 USD) entrance ticket, saving time on the shuttle bus transfer 🚌.

Ticket Purchasing Tips

Deep Pit: Online tickets only offer the 110CNY (approximately $15 USD) package. The only place to buy the 80CNY (approximately $11 USD) ticket is at the Visitor Center, and they are only available for the current day.

Avoiding the Pitfall: If staying overnight at Detian Waterfall, book a guesthouse in Detian Tun village and have them buy the 80CNY (approximately $11 USD) tickets for you. Some hotels offer free parking; filter for this option when booking 🛏️. If not staying, arrive at the Visitor Center early to purchase your ticket and then navigate to "Detian Tun." For RV travelers, follow the same method to avoid multiple trips to the Visitor Center and paying extra parking fees 🚐.

Detailed Route Inside the Scenic Area (No Retracing Steps, Gradual Scenic Enhancement)

Avoid high-altitude thrill rides 🎢. The scenic area has three paths: a stone path (lower), a wooden plank path (middle), and an asphalt road (upper, for internal sightseeing buses). Here's a suggested route:

① Outbound: Enter the scenic area and follow the stone path to the end. The wire fence along the water disrupts the view, but this is the closest point to Vietnam and the only path to the 836th boundary marker 🇨🇳🇻🇳. The best view is near the end at a viewpoint offering a full view of the waterfall. Continue on the stone path to Detian Plaza. Skip the plaza for now and proceed to the end. The return journey offers better scenery 🌄.

② Return: After reaching the end, take the asphalt road back to Detian Plaza, take photos, then switch to the wooden plank path for the return journey. This path has two viewpoints perfect for full waterfall photos 📸. The first viewpoint leads down to the Instagram-famous Rice Field Café ☕. After photos, return to the plank path, passing another viewpoint before reaching the exit 🚶‍♂️.

③ Bamboo Raft: Bamboo rafts carry about 20 people each. Without front-row seats, photo opportunities are limited, so I skipped it. If you choose to ride, do it after completing the route for a close-up view of the waterfall 🌊. Doing it first may diminish the waterfall's impact.

Ten-Year Experience Differences at Detian Waterfall

2012: Direct driving to the entrance, dogs allowed on leash 🐕, parking at the gate, no shuttle bus. Several viewing platforms offered full waterfall views. A border market added local flavor 🌟.

2019: Shuttle bus required, dogs allowed, border market gone. Both low and high paths offered viewing platforms 📷.

2023: Parking 10 km (approximately 6 miles) away, no dogs allowed. Wires along the water, large commercial plaza, and paid attractions impact the experience 🏙️. Best viewing time is from 12-2 PM due to water release from upstream reservoir.

Estimated Costs for the Trip:

• Accommodation: $50 for 2 nights
• Food: $30 for 2 days
• Transportation: $20
• Attraction Tickets: $12

Total Estimated Cost: $112 USD Note: Costs can vary based on meal and accommodation choices and travel timing.